Millennial
October 1964
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CARPETING USED THROUGHOUT THE CHAPELS
Millennial
A Virile, progressive Religion
MORMONISM is a LIVING religion. It brings new
life and new goals to all who embrace it.
This is no less true of the youth of the Church than of
older members. For youth, Mormonism is a virile, pro-
gressive, forward-looking religion which provides joy in
clean living, wholesome associates, high ideals, and above
all, a meaningful life.
Life must have a meaning if we are to truly enjoy it.
It must mean more than mere existence, or more than
excitement and entertainment. It must mean accomplishment,
also, for there is no real satisfaction in life without
accomplishment.
Mormonism tells the youth who he is, why he is on
earth, and where he may expect to go after he leaves this
life. It tells him WHY he is alive.
This is the most uplifting fact that any youth has ever
heard. Instead of being told he is the off-spring of an ape
or some "missing link," he learns in Mormonism that he
is a child of God, actually of the race of Deity.
Mormonism tells him also that he may eventually and
literally become like God, for that is our great goal, our
greatest ambition.
Therefore Mormonism gives to the youth a plan of life
which tells him how to grow intellectually and spiritually,
and gives to him a physical programme that means health
in the years to come — health to accomplish his goals.
Mormonism teaches him how to live pleasantly with
others; and that he must work honestly for a living; how
to select and woo the right kind of mate, and how to develop
a worthwhile and happy family life. It guides him into
good citizenship, good habits, and good thoughts.
It encourages him to read good books thereby becoming
acquainted with the best minds of the world, and of the
prophets who communed with God.
Mormonism gives youth direction, new horizons, new
hopes, new aspirations and helps to bring them all into
fruition in his life.
A THOUGHT FOR YOUR TALK
To my beloved young friends: . . . May I
plead with you to be patient, to search the
scriptures, to keep your lives balanced, and to
reserve judgment, to keep faith, to keep clean,
to go forth and rise to the high destiny that
is yours.
—Richard L. Evans
OCTOBER 1964
VOLUME 126 NUMBER IO
CONTENTS
Special Features:
Youth and the Priesthood
by President David O. McKay 330
There are not enough of
them
by Elder Boyd K. Packer 332
Courage
by Bishop Robert L. Simpson 336
Auxiliary Articles:
New Committee will direct
all Church activities 341
The Branch President's
Page by David B. Haight 342
Melchizedek Priesthood
by President Mark E. Petersen
and Elder Max A. Bryan 344
God's greatest gift to man
by President
G. Eugene England 345
Aaronic Priesthood — Adult
by Phil D. Jensen 346
Aaronic Priesthood — Youth
by Phil D. Jensen 348
Relief Society
by Christine H. Robinson 350
Sunday School
by O. Preston Robinson 352
The Wonderful World of
MIA by President and Sister
A. Ray Curtis 356
The Primary Page
by Eileen R. Dunyon 360
Bible Stories for Children
by Emma Marr Petersen 363
A Closing Thought
by Bishop J. Butcher 364
Front Cover:
London Stake MIA members sailing
on Lake Llangorse in South Wales
during their week-long summer
"Adventure Holiday" camp.
Acknowledgement: Bookcraft, Salt Lake City, for
the reproduction of an article originally published
by their company.
The Millenial Star is the official publication of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Great
Britain. Published monthly from 288 London Road.
Mitcham. Surrey, England. Printed by the Target
Press Ltd.. Queen's Road. Reading. Berks Rates: £1
year (foreign $3). 2s. per copy.
FROM THE PEN OF THE PROPHET
Youth
by President DAVID O. McKAY
""THE holding of the priesthood is a
■*• blessing, a blessing which too few
of us in our Church fully realize, and
in order that that realization might
become more prized, our bishops
should teach the young man who is
recommended to receive the Aaronic
Priesthood what the ordination to the
Aaronic Priesthood means.
It is not sufficient just to present his
name for approval in the meeting of
the ward. He should be interviewed
and taught previously from the begin-
ning by the bishop.
I shall ever cherish in memory our
appreciation for Bishop Edward E.
Olson of Ogden Fourth Ward who
came into our house and interviewed
our son Llewelyn, and asked him
about his willingness to receive the
Priesthood of Aaron, and gave him
instructions accordingly.
A bishop should teach the young
MIA Leaders from the British and South-West British Missions
and the London Stake participating In a week-long leadership
training course.
330
and the Priesthood
man who is recommended to receive
the Aaronic Priesthood what the or-
dination to the priesthood means, not
just present his name, I repeat, in
council in the ward — but teach him
that when he is given the priesthood
he is expected to be above, not in
pride and haughtiness, but in moral
standards above his fellows.
Specifically, his playmates may
swear, but he cannot do so with im-
punity. Some may even take the name
of God in vain. A man of the priest-
hood cannot do that when he receives
the obligation to render service to
others, as a representative of Jesus
Christ. He who takes the name of
God in vain dishonours his priest-
hood.
Others may neglect their duties.
Others may make fun of their
teachers in day school. Others may
break windows, but the bearer of the
priesthood cannot do those things. It
is the bishop's duty to teach them
good citizenship and their duties in
the priesthood.
Then the bishop will also follow
similar teachings when the deacon is
worthy to be ordained a teacher, and
the teacher to be ordained a priest.
With such teaching and training young
men eighteen years of age, and young
women of corresponding age, may in
reality carve' the moral atmosphere of
the community in which they live.
They truly have been set apart, not
because of any pride, not because of
any desire to rule unrighteously, but
because of moral superiority. They
are good citizens, and any bishop who
profanes the name of God in the
presence of others dishonours his
priesthood. It is his duty to teach the
young man from the time he is a
deacon, through being a teacher and
priest, the responsibility of true
citizenship in the kingdom of God.
We are justified in being proud of
our young men and young women.
Some fail us, yes. Some of the child-
ren of our Father in heaven failed
him. They had a right to choose. They
had their free agency, and some of
them chose to follow the fallen one,
and they are following him today. We
also have our free agency, a God-
given gift, and some choose unwisely
to follow pleasure and indulgence
rather than the persistence and effort
to rise above that which is low and
mean into the realm of spirituality.
What I am saying is that to hold
the priesthood is an individual bless-
ing, but it requires, it demands,
righteous living. God give us power so
to honour it, I pray in the name of
Jesus Christ.
Preparing to cast off. Sailing was
one of the activities participated
in by London Stake MIA mem-
bers at their week-long summer
"Adventure Holiday" camp on
the shore of Lake Llangorse in
South Wales.
Canoeing was also a popular pas-
time at the camp, especially
among the boys on holiday. Pic-
tured here are John Cary and
Christopher Carter, both from the
South London Ward.
THE ONLY THING WRONG
says Elder BOYD K. PACKER
T WISH to write to young people
everywhere. I confess to being
partial to those of you who are in
your teens. The very qualities that
cause some of us who are a bit older
to worry about you — youthful exhu-
berance. resistance to restraint and
domination — when matured a little
will be your great strength.
When we hear the question, and we
often do. "What is wrong with our
teenagers?" I want to thunder out,
"The only thing wrong with teenagers
is that there aren't enough of them."
1 wish, earnestly wish, that this could
be a private letter for I am prompted
to write to you about a very personal
and sacred matter. But I have such
faith in you to be willing to write
openly to you about this subject.
I take my text from the Book of
Mormon. Jacob, a great Book of
Mormon prophet, was teaching his
people in the temple, and we find this
descriptive verse: "Wherefore I,
Jacob, gave unto them these words as
I taught them in the temple, having
first obtained mine errand from the
Lord." (Jacob 1:17.) I repeat, "having
first obtained mine errand from the
Lord." It is about this errand, your
errand, that I would speak.
Not too long ago I rode for several
WITH THE YOUTH OF TODAY
not enough off them!
hundred miles with a group which
included a boy named Henry. Though
Henry was just in his early teens I
was impressed with his inquisitive
nature, with his searching, intelligent
questions, and I thought, "Here is a
young man with whom I can. talk man
to man about things spiritual." Henry
has already obtained part of his
errand. He is planning years ahead
for service in the mission field. In
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-
day Saints there is not only room for
young men and women, but you are
needed- here. The majority of nearly
12,000 full time missionaries serving
throughout the world — in Yokohama
and Hong Kong, in Melbourne and
Auckland, in Santiago and Hermo-
sillo, in Hamburg and Vienna — the
great majority are young men just
past nineteen years of age. In this
Church you are not only given full
opportunity and full responsibility,
but also full ecclesiastical authority,
it is when I contemplate this that I
repeat, here teenagers are not just
tolerated, here they are needed. And
it is when I contemplate this that I
want to repeat again, the only thing
wrong with you teenagers is that
there aren't enough of you.
I include in this errand all of you,
not just those of you who have al-
ready distinguished yourselves — the
captain of the football team, the
valedictorian, the college or high
school beauty queen. You are inclu-
ded, but I am writing at least as much
to you who consider yourselves no-
body or at best just anybody. Some
of you have been involved in serious
trouble and difficulty that is only part-
ly of your own making. Some of you
I am sure, feel your parents don't
love you. In this I am sure you are
mistaken. Some of you feel that be-
cause of these mistakes that what I
say shall not apply to you. You may
even feel that no one has a regard
for you, that even the Lord doesn't
love you. In this you are most cer-
tainly in error.
If you obtain your errand in life
from the Lord, there is a special
spiritual preparation necessary. It is
something you must do alone, each
of you, individually, by yourselves.
It is intimate and personal and
sacred. It relates to the most delicate
and sensitive of your feelings, and it
is only in the spirit of reverence that
I approach this subject with you.
To achieve this spiritual preparation
you must set out on a quest. The quest
has all of the aspects of high adventure.
It will require the gallantry of knight-
hood, all of the virtues of the story-
book princess. It will take the re-
sourcefulness of the pioneer, the cour-
age of the astronaut, and the humility
of a true saint. It will require some
unteenage-like maturity. I say this
because right now as teenagers you
are trying to assert yourselves, trying
to say to the world, mostly to your-
selves, "I am somebody." But, this
preparation will require some different
attributes, some that perhaps have not
matured in you as yet. It is almost out
of keeping with your teenage person-
alities for you to be submissive and
humble, isn't it.
Recently I was tucking one of our
little boys in bed. He was just five
There had been a difference of opinion
as to whether it was bedtime or not.
He had been guided gently to bed with
something less than democracy. He
looked up at me from under the cov-
ers and gritted his little teeth and said,
"You are not in charge of me." Wise
beyond his years he spoke just like
one of you teenagers. And it is against
this natural expression of youth that
you will find your greatest contest.
The errand, the quest, is the search
for a testimony — an individual con-
viction, a certain knowledge that
Elder Boyd K. Packer
Jesus is the Christ, that God lives.
Although much of religious expres-
sion is in group activity, this matter
of testimony is not. It is individual —
on your own, by yourself. It is be-
cause I have such confidence in you
that I approach this sacred subject. I
have confidence in all of the Henry's
and the Bob's and Diane's and
Beverly's and Allen's, and so I speak
pointedly to you.
The Prophet Joseph Smith was
about your age, in his fifteenth year,
when he wanted to know for himself,
for sure, what his errand in life should
be. And, after reading James, chapter
1, verse 5: "If any of you lack wis-
dom, let him ask of God, that giveth
to all men liberally, and upbraideth
not ; and it shall be given him," he
came to the conclusion, "... I must
either remain in darkness and con-
fusion, or else I must do as James
directs, that is, ask of God. I at
length came to the determination to
'ask of God' concluding that if he
gave wisdom to them that lacked wis-
dom, and would give liberally, and not
upbraid, I would venture."
(Joseph Smith 2:13.)
Do you know how to pray, teen-
ager? Have you ever tried it — by
yourself, alone? Have you ever knelt
down and poured out your soul to
your Father in heaven, asking for
help, asking him to guide you as you
seek for you errand in life?
Joseph Smith sought seclusion, by
himself, alone, as a teenager individual
In this Church
there is love for you
In this Church you are needed, my
to attempt to pray. He asked the Lord
two questions ; first, which of all the
churches is true, and next, which he
should join. These two questions are
appropriate for every teenager to ask,
those of you who are in the Church
and those of you who are seeking
after truth. Now, if you have the in-
clination or the desire to find out for
yourselves, you are entering in by the
way. Again from the Book of Mor-
mon I quote the Prophet Nephi, who
had been speaking to his people about
this matter of testimony, and near the
conclusion of his sermon he said:
"Wherefore, now after I have
spoken these words, if ye cannot
understand them it will be because
ye ask not, neither do ye knock ;
wherefore, ye are not brought into
the light, but must perish in the
dark.
"For behold, again I say unto
you that if ye will enter in by the
way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it
will show unto you all things what
ye should do." (2 Nephi 32:4-5.)
There is a difference, you know,
between saying prayers and praying.
Don't expect it all to come at once.
It is worth earning. Your efforts may
seem in vain, but pray unceasingly,
unyeilding. The Prophet Moroni said :
". . . dispute not because ye see
see not, for ye receive no witness
until after the trial of your faith."
(Ether 12:6.)
Once you have a testimony of your
own, some things won't seem to
change a great deal. You will still
have to work for what you get. You
won't be immune to illness or death.
You will still have problems to solve,
but you will have great strength, and
you will be prompted by the Spirit of
the Lord in the solution of these
problems. As you accept membership
in the Church, you have the gift of
the Holy Ghost conferred upon you.
Some of you who are young members
of the Church and some of us who
are older have made very little use
of this gift. It is a quiet gift. It is a
still small voice. May I illustrate?
Many years ago my parents lived on
a modest little farm. They were
ordinary people of humble circum-
stances. They had prayerfully asked
the Lord to bless them with all of the
necessities of life and some of the
comforts and conveniences. One
Monday morning Father came in
from the field. He had broken the
plow. "I must go into Brigham City,"
he said, "and get some welding done.
Would you like to go?" Mother was
washing, but she hastily set things
aside and prepared the youngsters
for a trip to town. The big copper
boiler was lifted from the range, the
buckets of hot water were set off the
stove into the bedroom. Mother took
the youngsters to the front gate where
Father soon appeared with the white-
topped buggy. As she put her foot
onto the step, she paused and said,
"Dad, somehow I think I shouldn't
go with you today." You can imagine
teenage friends
the conversation. "But why not?
Hurry, time is wasting. You know you
have shopping to do." Mother finally
said, "I just feel like I shouldn't go."
Thank goodness Father didn't tease
her out of it. "If you feel that way,
Mother," he said, "perhaps you should
stay home."
She lifted the youngsters out of
the buggy, and you can well guess
what they started to do. Dad shook
the reins, the buggy pulled down
across the bridge, up the opposite
bank and out of sight, and she has
told me many times that she stood
there and said to herself, "Now
wasn't that silly of me." She busied
herself with her washing again and
in a moment or two she smelled
smoke. Everything they owned, much
of what they had prayed for, was in
that modest little home. She didn't
find the fire until the ceiling of the
bedroom burst into flame, a ceiling
made of muslin, sized with glue and
wallpapered. A rusted stove pipe had
permitted a spark to fall and settle in
the dust atop the ceiling. A bucket
brigade from the back pump, and the
fire was soon out, and the incident
closes without significance, unless
you ask the question, "Why didn't she
go to town that day?"
There is a sentence that has been
tremendously important to me in the
Book of Mormon. Nephi in speaking
to Laman and Lemuel said:
". . . Ye have seen an angel, and
he spake unto you ; yea, ye have
heard his voice from lime to time ;
and he hath spoken unto you in a
still small voice, but ye were past
feeling, that ye could not feel his
words ; . . ." (1 Nephi 17:45.)
Again, I say, teenagers, that you are
needed in this Church. There is a
great mission, a great errand for you
to perform. Young Henry will hardly
be prepared in time for his mission
call. Some of us, in our youthfulness,
may unwisely want to say to our
Father in heaven that which my little
son said to me. We may be tempted
to grit our teeth and say to him,
"You're not in charge of me." This
spirit is present in the poem "Invictus"
which concludes:
"// matters not how straight the
gate-
How charged with punishment the
scroll.
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul."
William Ernest Henley
It takes a spirit different from that
if you, teenagers, will find your testi-
miny. The late Orson F. Whitney of
the Council of the Twelve Apostles
wrote a poem entitled, "The Soul's
Captain." In answer to the declaration
"/ am the captain of my soul!"
Brother Whitney said:
"Art thou in truth?
Then what of him who bought thee
with his blood?
Who plunged into devouring seas
And snatched thee from the flood,
"Who bore for all our fallen race
What none but him could bear —
The God who died that man might
live
And endless glory share.
"Of what avail thy vaunted strength
Apart from his vast might!
Pray that his light may pierce the
gloom
That thou mayest see aright.
"Men are as bubbles on the wave,
As leaves upon the tree,
Thou, captan of thy soul Forsooth,
Who gave that place to thee?
"Free will is thine — free agency,
To wield for right or wrong;
But thou must answer unto him
To whom all souls belong.
"Bend to the dust that 'head un-
bowed,'
Small part of life's great whole,
And see in him and him alone.
The captain of thy soul."
Humbly, my teenage friends, I tell
you that I have made that quest.
Though less qualified perhaps than
you, it became my blessing to know
for sure which of all the churches is
true, and it is because of experience
that I hold out to you, not just the
possibility that God will answer your
prayer, but the very certainty of it.
We tell you that in this Church there
is love for you. In this Church you
are needed. We love you because the
Lord loves you. I bear humble witness
that I know that God lives. I know
that Jesus is the Christ, and that he
loves all of us, including the youth.
by Bishop
ROBERT L. SIMPSON
of the Presiding Bishopric
T AM certain that every member of
■*• the Church has thrilled to the
words of a stalwart young man of
Aaronic Priesthood age who lived
approximately twenty-six hundred
years ago. When faced with a diffi-
cult situation, he said,
"I will go and do the things
which the Lord hath commanded,
for J know that the Lord giveth no
commandments unto the children
of men, save he shall prepare a
way for them that they may ac-
complish the thing which he com-
mandeth them." (1 Nephi 3:7.)
This young man, destined to become
a great prophet, had a most important
quality. He had courage, courage to
stand on his own two feet rather
than follow the so-called easier way —
the more popular way — the beckoning
of the crowd, in this case his own
brothers.
Let us quickly span twenty-six hun-
dred years and review a story of
Aaronic Priesthood courage in our
day. My heart was touched when I
had the privilege of reading an
excerpt from a serviceman's letter to
his parents. Apparently, his training
instructor had made it a habit of
starting each day's discussion with a
few off-colour stories.
One morning, quite by surprise, the
instructor asked if anyone objected to
a couple of "good" stories before
starting the day's instruction. This
young Mormon boy said that almost
as though he had been ejected from
his seat by and unseen power, he shot
up and said, "Yes, sir, / object."
After a long stony silence, the in-
structor said, "Are there any others?"
You can imagine the feelings of this
boy's heart as one by one another
dozen or so young army recruits
stood in defence of what they really
believed. Those standing were invited
to leave the class, and then halfway
out, they were called back with a
comment from the instructor, "I
guess we can skip the stories this
morning."
Wouldn't you like the privilege of
shaking hands with that kind of
Aaronic Priesthood courage? Isn't it
gratifying to know that you don't
have to turn the pages of history
back twenty-six hundred years to find
the courage of a Nephi or a Daniel
in the lion's den or a David meeting
Goliath? And isn't it also gratifying
to know that for every courageous
heart with a fortitude to stand up and
be counted, there will be a host of
others willing to rally to the cause
of truth and right?
Perhaps there might be a student
who finds himself at the crossroads
of decision today ; whose circle of
closest friends fail to live by the rules
of conduct that he or she knows to
be right. Might these so-called friends
be urging you to take one more step
away from all that you believe in, all
that is sacred? Could these be the
same first easy steps taken by a teen-
age boy recently who stated to a
juvenile judge, "I just didn't realize
it was happening — it was so gradual ;"
or the girl who pleaded, "I wanted so
much to be popular with the others —
and I was so wrong."
How grateful we can be that these
young people had the courage to
recognize their misdirection — and then
even more courage to do what needed
to be done in realigning their lives to
correct standards.
Now, courage is an easy word to
say. To be effective, there must be
action — just like our serviceman a
moment ago — positive action in the
right direction which can only hap-
pen when that courage is inspired
through positive, proper motivation.
Now, join with me, young people,
through a thought sequence which
should prove helpful to serious-
minded church members as a basis
for motivation in the right direction :
First, let us reconfirm in our minds
that there is a Heavenly Father, that
he is the Creator of heaven and earth
and directs all that we survey.
Second, let us be assured that his
house is a house of order, even to the
extent that you and I have come to
mortality now, in this day, by specific
assignment for a real purpose.
Have you ever asked yourself the
question, "Why wasn't I born two
hundred years ago, or a thousand
years ago?" There is only one
reason, young people, because the
Lord wanted you born now, in this
important day.
Step No. 3, can we know for assur-
ance that a young boy knelt in a
grove of trees in the year 1820 and
there received a personal visitation
from God the Father and his Son
Jesus Christ? Have you read the
Joseph Smith story lately, with a real
desire to know its truthfulness?
The fourth step: Why are you a
member of this Church and kingdom?
Could this be by chance? By your
selection only? The Saviour has this
Pony trekking in the Welsh moun-
tains was part of the training
received by the London Stake
MIA members at the summer
"Adventure Holiday" camp.
to say in the fifteenth chapter of
John:
"Ye have not chosen me, but I
have chosen you, and ordained you,
. . :• (Verse 16.)
I know that foreordination is a
real part of the plan — we have a res-
ponsibility — a divine commission,
if you please, conferred prior to mor-
tal existence that can neither be
disregarded nor taken lightly without
far-reaching consequences.
The fifth and final point I suggest
is that the Lord has given us a most
precious gift that we call free agency.
And after all is said and done, the
final decision is ours with regard to
our talents, our divine commission,
our choice between left or right, right
or wrong.
Youth of Zion, do you have the
courage to do right? I sometimes
wonder how we could have the
courage to do anything but right if
we really believe in the foregoing
steps of logic. Let us just enumerate
them again briefly:
1. God lives.
2. His house is a house of order.
3. The heavens have been opened
and remain open today.
4. We are here by appointment,
by foreordination.
5. And finally, the choice is ours
as to what we do about it.
Now not only do we need courage
in choosing our way, but we also
need help. The best source of help
is from those who love us. I would
like to reconfirm a truth that has been
spoken many times, that no one loves
us like our parents, like our bishops,
like our Heavenly Father. May we
always seek our counsel and guidance
from these three sources.
Youth is energetic ; youth is aggres-
sive. The mind of youth is inquisitive.
sometimes beyond sound judgment
which often leads us into dangerous
territory. The Prophet Joseph Smith
had this to say to Martin Harris in
kindly repremand: "When a man
designedly provokes a serpent to bite
him, the principle is the same as when
a man drinks deadly poison, knowing
it to be such. In that case, no man
has any claim on the promises of God
to be healed." (DHC 2, 95-96.) By the
same token, can we expect the protec-
tion we need when we knowingly step
beyond the limits of good judgment?
Moroni's reiteration of Mormon's
teachings gives us the key for keeping
a solid footing.
"For behold, the Spirit of Christ
is given to every man, that he may
know good from evil ; wherefore,
1 show unto you the way to judge ;
for every thing which invite th to do
good, and to persuade to believe in
Christ, is sent forth by the power
and gift of Christ ; wherefore ye
may know with a perfect know-
ledge it is of God.
"But whatsoever thing persuadeth
Sailing, canoeing, pony trekking
— but they still had energy enough
for a game of volley-ball in the
evenings. Picture taken at the
London Stake summer camp.
men to do evil, and believe not in
Christ, and deny him, and serve not
God, then ye may know with a
perfect knowledge it is of the devil ;
for after this manner doth the
devil work, for he persuadeth no
man to do good, no, not one ;
neither do his angels; neither do
they who subject themselves unto
him." {Moroni 7:16-17.)
Yes, youth of Zion, history is still
being made, and whether you like it
or not, you have a hand in it. You
will need courage and lots of it. You
will need the help of those who love
you and the support of loyal friends,
real friends, friends who would en-
courage you in "every thing which
inviteth to do good," as stated by
Moroni.
Now in conclusion, may I suggest
that this Church is not idly named.
We are The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints. These are the
latter days ; this is the final dispensa-
tion of time, and the programmes of
the Church are all moving towards a
sort of finalization or culmination.
There is an urgency as never before
about what needs to be done ; and be
sure of this, what needs to be done
will be done on schedule, we hope by
those initially foreordained to the
task. But just as surely as night fol-
lows the day, if we choose not to
accept our station, or if we grow
weary along the way, placing less im-
portant things first, there will be sub-
stitutes raised to take our place, that
the Lord's time-plan and ultimate
purposes will not be thwarted.
Youth of Zion, stand up and be
counted, have the courage of your
convictions, and whatever you do,
don't allow someone else to be a sub-
stitute for you in the kingdom of your
Heavenly Father.
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ew committee
will direct all
Church activities
A T a special West European Mission
"^ President's Conference, held in
Geneva, Pres. Mark E. Petersen an-
nounced the formation of a central
supervisory committee.
The new unit will direct and co-
ordinate auxiliary, genealogical work
and priesthood activities throughout
the 12 missions and seven stakes in the
West European area.
The functions of this new commit-
tee will be —
1. To provide leadership materials
for the monthly leadership meet-
ings for the various organizations
involved.
2. To provide specialized help to in-
dividual officers in the respective
organizations.
3. To prepare special instructions
and guidance materials to be
published in a monthly depart-
ment for each organization in the
"Millennial Star."
The "Millennial Star" will feature
special sections devoted to the new
supervisory programme. The maga-
zine will become the instructional
guide for all officers and teachers
working in auxiliaries.
To make sure that proper com-
munication and co-ordination is
maintained with the General Boards
a"nd other organization chairmen and
leaders in Salt Lake City, a close con-
tact will be established between the
chairman of each of the auxiliary
and Priesthood organizations with
the central Church leaders. All of the
co-ordinating activities performed by
the various chairmen of the Central
Superivisory Committee will, of
course, operate through the proper
channels of mission and stake Priest-
hood, stake presidencies and mission
presidencies
Each of the chairmen will form
their own sub-committees, consisting
of members with a knowledge of
local conditions.
President Petersen announced the
personnel of the Central Supervisory
Committee as follows:
Relief Society: Sister Christine H.
Robinson, formerly of the
General Board of the Relief
Society, and formerly a member
of the General Church Co-
ordinating Council, now wife of
the President of the British
Mission.
Primary: Sister Eileen R. Dunyon,
formerly of the General Presi-
dency of the Primary Associa-
tion, Counsellor to Sister Parmley
for years and wife of the Presi-
dent of the Central British
Mission.
Sunday School: Dr. O. Preston
Robinson of the General Board
of the Deseret Sunday School
Union, now President of the
British Mission.
YMMIA: President A. Ray Curtis,
of the Southwest British Mission,
life-long MIA Executive and
former Stake President.
YWMIA: Sister A. Ray Curtis,
another life-long MIA worker
and wife of the President of the
Southwest British Mission.
Aid to Branch Presidencies: Presi-
dent David B. Haight, of the
Scottish Mission, former Presi-
dent of the Palo Alto Stake.
Aaronic Priesthood (over and under
21): President Phil D. Jensen.
President of the North Scottish
Mission, former Stake President
at American Fork, Utah.
Melchizedtk Priesthood : Mark E
Petersen and Max A. Bryan.
President Petersen is a member
of the Council of the 12 Apostles
and presently President of the
West European Mission. Presi-
dent Bryan, now with Sister
Bryan on a full-time mission in
the British Isles, was formerly
President of the East Long
Beach Stake. California.
Genealogical Research and Temple
Attendance: Syger T. Hasen-
berg, now head of all genealogical
microfilm and research work in
Europe, representing the Genealo-
gical Society of the Church.
President Petersen has indicated
that each of these chairmen will have
expert assistance in their work.
As this new Central Supervisory
Committee goes into full action, be-
ginning in October, it is expected that
the organization, procedures and ac-
complishments of the various auxilia-
ries, Priesthood and Genealogical
Organizations involved will move
forward with the greatest success and
accomplishment yet enjoyed through-
out the area covered by the West
European Mission.
This new organization faces impor-
tant challenges and great opportuni-
ties as it participates in the growth of
the Church throughout this important
part of our Lord's Kingdom.
341
The Branch
President's Page
by DAVID B. HAIGHT, President. Scottish Mission
■^
■^
"Ye have not chosen me, hut I
have chosen you and ordained you.
that ye should go and bring forth
fruit, and that your fruit should
remain." {John 15:16.)
TN these few words the Saviour
explained the order of government
in his church. The Saviour indicated
both that he was directing his church,
and also that He was not elected by a
popular vote nor was he nominated
by the people.
Today the same order of govern-
ment exists in the Church of Jesus
Christ. Bishops and branch presidents
are not nominated and elected by the
popular vote of the people. They are
called by the Saviour through His
appointed servants. Does this mean
the members of the church have no
voice in the government of the
church? No. the order of the church
is "government by the consent of the
governed."1 Every bishop or branch
president that has ever been called
has been placed before his ward or
branch for the sustaining vote of the
people. The citizens in the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have
always had the privilege of sustaining
their leaders or manifesting their op-
position.
A member of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints who raises
his right hand to sustain a leader
manifests a promise to give all his
support to that leader until such a
leader is officially released from office.
The Lord requires this obedience.2
If every member were allowed to
accept only the rulings, decisions, and
actions which at the time seemed
favourable ; or if every member were
allowed to withdraw support from a
leader he deemed not righteous ;
chaos, disorder, disruption and
trouble would reign supreme in the
Church.
"Behold, mine house is a house
of order, saith the Lord God, and
not a house of confusion."
(D. & C. 132:8)
In the governments of the world,
leaders in office have the authority
to administer the laws of their
country. The public is bound to
accept the authority of their leaders.
It is not conceivable that a person
could refuse to accept the authority
of a police officer because of the per-
sonal worthiness of the police officer.
Furthermore it is less conceivable that
the public could decide which laws
they would or would not obey. There
is order in government. If a police
officer is not worthy of his office he
should be removed. The procedure
for his removal will follow the laws
of the country. Until he is removed
he will still hold authority of office.
All laws of the country stand as en-
acted. If the laws are not proper or
are unjust they may be changed ; but
until they are changed they must be
obeyed.3
In the Church of Jesus Christ there
are no unjust laws. All laws given to
us by the Lord are just laws
because they are Gods laws. We are
bound to support and honour the
leaders and officers in their callings.
We do not have the right to accept
or reject the leaders from day to day.
We accept the leaders until they are
officially released from office.
Backbiting, rumour, rebellion,
fault-finding and other such difficul-
ties stem from a failure to observe
these principles of government in the
church.
Just as the bishop or branch presi-
dent is presented to the members for
a sustaining vote, so also, all the
officers and leaders of the ward or
branch are presented for a sustaining
vote. The officers and leaders of the
ward or branch are not nominated or
elected by a popular vote of the ward
or branch membership. They are
selected by the bishop or branch
president and his counsellors as in-
spired by the Lord. The Lord knows
who should be in a certain office at
any given moment.
The calling of bishop or branch
president is one of the greatest call-
ings upon the earth. He is given the
keys, power and authority of God.
Although the members of the ward or
branch have an obligation to the Lord
to sustain the bishop or branch presi-
dent, the bishop or branch president
has an obligation to lead the people
and to inspire them to co-operate and
be obedient. The gospel of Jesus
Christ is not a gospel of force, threat
or intimidation. The Lord has instruc-
ted us that :
"No power or influence can or
ought to be maintained by virtue of
the priesthood, only by persuasion,
long suffering, by gentleness and
meekness, and by love unfeigned."
(D. & C. 121:41)
In the world today there are two
methods by which people exercise
authority over others. On the .one
hand we have those who follow
Satan's pattern. They rule with an
"iron fist." They get the job done but
in the process they develop within
their associates deep feelings of resent-
-^
merit, rebellion and hatred. To these
so-called leaders the Lord has said:
"We have learned by sad experi-
ence that it is the nature and dis-
position of almost all men, as soon
as they get a little authority, as they
suppose, they will immediately be-
gin to exercise unrighteous domi-
nion. Hence many are called, but
few are chosen."
(D. & C. 121:39-40)
On the other hand, we have those
who are true leaders. They lead
people — they don't push them. This is
the Lord's way and it is founded upon
love and understanding. In order to
lead we have to be out in front.
A bishop or branch president has
a dual role. He should be both:
1. A spiritual leader clothed with
righteousness, and a
2. Kind, considerate administrator
concerned with the temporal
well-being of the members.
As spiritual leader the bishop or
branch president should have a good
knowledge of the scriptures. Even
though he is busy he should always
try to study the gospel every day.
The Lord will inspire the bishop or
branch president in thought and
action but expects him to actively
seek after truth and knowledge.
"Wherefore, now let every man
learn his duty, and to act in the
office in which he is appointed, in all
diligence. He that is slothful shall
not be counted worthy to stand, and
he that learns not his duty and
shows himself not approved shall
not be counted worthy to stand."
(D. & C. 107:99- 100)
When the bishop or branch presi-
dent has earnestly studied and gained
an understanding of his duty then
the Lord will inspire him in his calling.
"No one can act his part in a play
until he has first read the script." A
bishop or branch president who does
not understand his duty will lack self
confidence. A full understanding of
the duties of office brings him closer
to the Lord and develops a feeling of
peace and satisfaction.
Coupled with a regular study of the
gospel, the branch president or bishop
must always keep foremost in his
mind the principle of prayer. The
Lord is always ready to give us
needed help and He promises an ans-
wer to our righteous prayers. It is
true that . . .
". . . The effectual fervent prayer
of a righteous man availeth much."
{James 5:16)
The faith and prayers of a bishop
or branch president not only will sus-
tain him but also will sustain the ward
or branch .
"Be thou humble ; and the Lord
thy God shall lead thee by the hand
and give thee answer to thy
prayers." (D.&C. 112:10)
This is the promise of a loving
Father. Although d'fficulties and
problems arise, the Lord will guide
the prayerful bishop or branch presi-
dent. The bishop or branch president
will be richly rewarded ; happiness
and satisfaction will be his lot.
! Priesthood and Church Government. Widtsoe. Page
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MELCHIZEDEK
PRIESTHOOD
Seek out
the member
at large
by President
MARK E. PETERSEN
and
President MAX A. BRYAN
A UNIFORM organization is neces-
** sary to carry out a uniform pro-
gramme in our Melchizedek Priesthood
work.
So that all will understand our plan
of organization, we mention in this
article a few definitions and a few
suggestions for organization.
I irst let us say that all Melchizedek
Priesthood members should belong to
some quorum or unit within that
priesthood. 1 here should be no "mem-
bers at large." or "scattered members"
who are not affiliated with a group
of priesthood bearers. All should
belong, no matter how scattered they
may be.
There are high priests' quorums
where ever there are high priests.
There is such a quorum in every stake,
and there may be such an organiza-
tion in missions if there are any high
priests available. Usually there are no
high priests or seventies in missions,
since their duties are more particu-
larly related to programmes within
stakes. In missions our Melchizedek
Priesthood brethren are usually all
elders.
How are elders organized?
Whether in a stake or mission, if
there are fewer than 49 elders, the
brethren are organized into what is
known as a unit. A unit has a leader,
not a "president, although in a unit
with 20 or more elders, this unit
leader may have counsellors. Always
there should be a secretary. There can
be only one unit in a stake or mis-
sion, and then only if in the entire
stake or the entire mission there are
fewer than 49 elders.
When there are 49 or more elders
in a stake or mission, they should be
organized into a quorum, with a
quorum presidency and secretary.
If there are 98 or more elders in a
stake or mission, two quorums should
be organized. If there are 147 elders,
three quorums should be organized.
If there are 1 96, four quorums should
be formed, and if there are 245, we
may have five quorums.
No quorum should have less than
49, and whenever there is a multiple
of that figure, an additional quorum
should be formed.
Stakes may organize their quorums
without reference to Salt Lake City.
Missions may form or divide quorums
only upon approval of the General
Melchizedek Priesthood Committee in
Salt Lake City.
Where a quorum extends through-
out a stake, and there are sufficient
elders to form only one quorum
within a stake, a group should be
organized in each ward and branch.
Each group is presided over by a
group leader, and is a part of the
quorum and under the direction of
the presidency of that quorum.
Similarly, when there are sufficient
elders for only one quorum in an
entire mission, groups may be formed
in the several branches, each group
under the direction of a group leader,
and all under the supervision of the
quorum presidency.
Where there are enough elders to
form more than one quorum in a
stake or mission, fewer groups may
be included within a quorum, there
being one group to each branch.
Where there are insufficient elders
to form a group in any one branch,
it may be desirable that they meet
with a group in some adjacent branch.
If there is no nearby branch, the
elder or elders in such small branch
may meet according to the direction
of the branch president and the
quorum president.
Every member of a quorum, no
matter how widely scattered the mem-
bership may be, should be contacted
by some quorum or group officer at
least once every month. This may be
done in weekly meetings, in visits to
homes of the brethren, or by mail
where distance is great.
In each stake there should be a
Stake Melchizedek Priesthood com-
mittee, as in each mission likewise
there should be a mission committee.
The stake organization should be
as follows:
Stake president, chairman.
High councilman in charge of local
missionary work.
High councilman in charge of
genealogical work.
High councilman in charge of
home teaching.
Stake clerk as secretary.
The mission organization should
be:
Mission president as chairman.
Mission counsellor to assist with
local missionary work.
A district president to encourage
genealogical and temple work.
A district president to encourage
home teaching.
Mission secretary is secretary to
committee.
In both instances, quorum presi-
dencies work under the direction of
these committees, the stake members
under the stake committee, and the
mission members under their mission
committee.
The stake works separately from
and without any connection with a
missibn even though there is geo-
graphical overlapping, and the mission
works independently from the stake.
They may both follow the same pro-
grammes, but their jurisdiction is kept
separate.
Group leaders in both mission and
stake, work under their own quorum
officers, and co-operate with branch
presidencies and bishoprics in their
work as desired.
Regular meetings of the Melchize-
dek Priesthood committees should be
held to plan the work of the organiza-
tion. This committee should instruct
quorum officers in their responsibili-
ties. Regular leadership meetings
should be held for this purpose.
The committee should not take
from the quorum presidencies the
operation of the quorums. They should
merely advise with the quorum offi-
cers, and permit the quorum presi-
dency to direct the quorum through
the group leaders in the various
wards and branches.
Regular reports should be provided
by secretaries, as directed.
In subsequent articles, further work
will be outlined.
It is suggested in this article, that if
there is a lack of organization, it be
taken care of at once so that quorum
and group officers may use the instruc-
tions which will appear soon.
Genealogy
gift to man
by G. EUGENE ENGLAND
President of the London Temple
""THE whole burden of responsibility
given to the church by our
Heavenly Father is to lead the child-
ren of Adam back to him as his heirs.
This heirship, eternal life, is the
greatest gift of God and man's ulti-
mate blessing. It is earned through
obedience to all the laws and ordi-
nances of the Gospel. (D. & C. 14:7.)
After true repentance we are forgiven
of past sins in baptism and start out
clean and free to a new life of
obedience, and of service to our fel-
lowman, that they may also receive
this blessing.
After years of experience a young
man and a young woman should be
ready to be put under covenant, in
the Temple of God, to obey, and thus
be endowed with the blessings from
our Father in Heaven for this life and
for eternity. This is called the "New
and Everlasting Covenant of the Gos-
pel." It includes repentance and bap-
tism, receiving the gift of the Holy
Ghost, the priesthood of God, sealing
of wife and husband and children to
parents, and performing these ordi-
nances for those who have passed into
eternity without having a chance to
hear the gospel and choose to obey or
reject it. These sealings are performed
by the authority of the one man, our
Prophet, who holds this power on the
earth. The Doctrine and Covenants
132: 7 also tells us they must be sealed
by the "Holy Spirit of Promise." This
means the blessings may be given but
are not effective until the person is
fully repentant and living in accord
with the requirements of the gospel so
that the Holy Ghost may seal the
promise of eternal life upon them.
President David O. McKay has
written, "The whole purpose of life is
to bring under subjection the animal
passions, proclivities and tendencies
that we might realize always the com-
panionship of God*s Holy Spirit."
We start on a path towards the
greatest gift by practising the first
principles of the gospel and striving
to perfect ourselves. By diligent effort
we add to our faith, virtue, know-
ledge, temperance, patience, godliness,
brotherly kindness and charity. The
experiences of earth's life are to build
character by the choices of our own
will-power. Through study and prayer
we learn what is required of us and
through effort and sacrifice we gradu-
ally become more Christlike.
After striving to live a perfect life
and asking in humble prayer, the
Holy Ghost will witness to us of the
divinity of God the Father and of
345
Jesus the Christ. This testimony will
come and add joy to our lives as we
teach and serve in the church. This
plan is from pre-existence and is the
plan of family exaltation.
Parents in the church are comman-
ded by the Lord (D. & C. 68:28) to
rear their children from babyhood to
love the gospel and to walk uprightly
and seek His blessings. Ideals and at-
titudes of truth and honesty must be
ingrained into each day's experiences
so they become a very part of the
child's being. Each principle of truth
and light lived in the home leads the
children to maturity, with a love for
the gospel way of life. A mission and
temple marriage" are held as high
goals requiring purity of life to insure
worthiness. The discipline of the body
tempers the soul towards the divine
nature ; and then the experiences of
life, love, marriage, birth of children,
priesthood service and temple ordi-
nances are wrought with great joy and
happiness. The children of God are
expected to accept his plan for us
and to diligently teach it to others.
The foundation of truth it builds upon
insures us the successes and joys of
life's most glorious experiences. We
learn to place that which is worth-
while in its true relationship with
things of lesser value and enter into a
programme of study, prayer, service
and wholesome family life with fun
and recreation.
There is great unhappiness awaiting
us if we do not control our animal
instincts and school them to the will
of God. "Sin never was happiness,"
said Alma to his son.
In counselling with people who
come to the Salt Lake Temple for ad-
vice, I found the greatest heart-
rending experiences are caused by
passion, appetite and hatred. It is
hard indeed to see the remorse of a
broken-hearted boy or girl, man or
woman, who have forgotten under the
pressure of physical desires that they
are God's covenant children. There is
encouragement in that after their soul
suffering, relief can be assured, that
all is not lost ; for, through true re-
pentance and restitution lives can be
rebuilt and peace and brotherhood
regained.
We of the Church of Jesus Christ,
look to the temples where spires reach
heavenward, where the inscription
"Holiness to the Lord" expresses the
blessing for which each true heart
yearns. President McKay said, "The
temple should ever be a light, in-
fluencing members of the church to
develop those characteristics which
transform a human being prompted
by animal instinct into a spiritual be-
ing responsive to the promptings of
God our Heavenly Father."
Ideals, aspirations, divine nature,
eternal life are all expressive words,
but the actual daily living is the im-
portant thing. I know a young man
who pledged his love and asked for
the eternal companionship of a lovely
young lady as the sun cast its first
beams over the spire of the temple.
This couple have worked for educa-
tion, served a foreign mission, and
given three years in the Air Force.
During this time they have reared a
family of beautiful children and have
found great joy with them and in
church service.
As ward genealogical chairman he
planned endowment excursions to the
temple, 500 miles distance, which re-
quired travel by coach all night, ses-
sions all day, and another ride home
for Sabbath day duties. The rewards
of this kind of obedience and service
comes in many ways. This young man
won a scholarship that will free him
of indebtedness when he finishes a
Ph.D. Daily he comes home to a de-
voted wife, and looks into the eyes of
his sweet children who have been well
born with healthy bodies and minds.
He goes to bed at night with no remorse
of conscience knowing that this day
he has done his best for God and his
fellow men. He knows that family
prayers have set the goals for great
and good things in his life and he
prays with his children to teach them
his concern for them and for others.
As they have been led by their parents
they now lead their little ones to-
wards the gift of eternal life. To bless
such couples who come to the temple
prepared to receive their sealings is
one of the most satisfying experiences
of my church service.
May our Father help us to ap-
preciate our blessings here upon the
earth and to reach out for this
greatest gift through our faithfulness.
Activity is t
by PHIL D. JENSEN, President of the
A ARONIC PRIESTHOOD ADULT
"^ designates the programme for
members 21 years of age or older who
hold the Aaronic Priesthood. Most of
these men will be those who have
been baptized recently in the church.
The Aaronic Priesthood Adult pro-
gramme is the means by which men
may be schooled in the principles of
Church administration in order that
they may take their places orderly in
furthering our Father's Kingdom here
on earth. One cannot be a recluse and
be a true Latter-day Saint. Member-
ship is synonymous with activity, and
activity is the only way we really learn
the principles of exaltation. Study
alone is not enough. We must do His
will in order to know the doctrine.
There are four offices in the
Aaronic Priesthood. These are
Deacon, Teacher, Priest and Bishop.
Deacon
The Aaronic Priesthood is con-
ferred at the time a man is ordained
a Deacon. Some of the assignments
which may be filled by a Deacon in-
clude passing the sacrament, giving
public addresses in church meetings,
giving scripture readings in Sacrament
Meetings, being a messenger for the
Branch President, gathering fast
offerings, assisting in the care of the
meetinghouse, notifying members of
meetings, bringing in new residents of
the branch, helping to revive inactive
members and participating in mission-
ary work. He may also assist in the
Home Teaching Programme with a
member of the Melchizedek Priest-
hood.
Teacher
A Teacher may do all the things
which a Deacon may do. In addition,
he has the responsibility ". . . to watch
over the church always and be with
and strengthen them." (D, & C. 20:53).
he first essential
orth Scottish Mission
The Teacher should prepare himself
to be an effective Home Teacher so
that he may, through love and
example, see that there is ". . . no
iniquity in the church, neither hard-
ness with each other, neither lying,
backbiting, nor evil speaking ;
"And see that the church meet to-
gether often, and also see that all
the members do their duty.
"And he is to take the lead of
meetings in the absence of the elder
or priest—" (D. & C. 20:55-56.)
Priest
The. next higher office in the
Aaronic Priesthood is the Priest. The
Priest may do all that a Teacher and
a Deacon may do. In addition, the
Priest may baptize, administer the
Sacrament and ordain Deacons,
Teachers and Priests.
Although Priests hold this authority,
they may only perform these ordi-
nances under the direction of the
Bishop or Branch President. This is
true of all priesthood ordinances. We
must not perform any ordinance with-
out the authorization of those in
authority.
Bishop
The highest office in the Aaronic
Priesthood is the Bishop. He presides
over the Aaronic Priesthood. His is a
dual calling. Although we refer con-
tinually to the presiding officer in a
ward as "Bishop," he conducts many
of the affairs of the ward as a High
Priest. Because he is both a High
Priest and a Bishop, he has authority
to preside over the Melchizedek
Priesthood members of his ward as
well as the Aaronic Priesthood, and
he becomes truly the father of the
ward.
While there is no fixed schedule for
ordination to, or advancement in the
Aaronic Priesthood for male members
who are 21 years of age or older, it
is suggested that they follow a
planned rate of progress in the
Priesthood. The first two months after
baptism are generally a period of
adjustment, and a time when the new
member will become acquainted with
his obligations and responsibilities by
means of the seven fellowshipping
discussions and through attending his
Church meetings. The seven fellow-
shipping discussions should normally
be completed by the end of eight
weeks following baptism.
Within a month and preferably
within two weeks following baptism,
the new adult member should be in-
terviewed by the Branch President,
sustained in a sacrament meeting and
ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood.
In order that new members be made
to feel part of the Church, they must
be brought into activity immediately.
Weeks and months should not be
allowed to pass by while the new
member "proves" himself.
It is suggested that he remain in the
office of a Deacon for approximately
3 months performing duties and obli-
gations entailed in this office. At the
end of this time, he should be inter-
viewed for advancement to the office
of a Teacher. He must be found
worthy by means of an interview and
sustained by the assembled saints. As
a Teacher he is expected to participate
in the responsibilities of that office.
He should manifest a spirit of love
and devotion to the Gospel and to
those with whom he associates. A
recommended length of service is
three months or until he has exhibited
the necessary development and
stability to be advanced to the office
of a Priest.
During this time of approximately
seven months, a person should begin
to develop a good working knowledge
of the Gospel. He will begin to
realise the blessings of having the
Priesthood in his home and the neces-
sity for continued application of the
Gospel principles in preparation for a
successful and full life in the Church.
It is suggested that once a man has
been advanced to the office of Priest,
that he remain in that office for a
period of five months. Here he will
have the opportunity of participating
in some of the essential ordinances of
the Church such as baptism and
ordination. During these months of
activity in the Aaronic Priesthood, he
will be preparing himself for the
added responsibilities and obligations
of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
Following this time schedule, a man
may advance in the Aaronic Priest-
hood just as readily as his activity
and worthiness dictate, but it is im-
portant that he serve and participate
in each and every office before being
considered for ordination to the
Melchizedek Priesthood. Under no
circumstances should he skip any
office in the Aaronic Priesthood.
Requirements for ordination to the
office of Deacon should not be as
rigid as requirements for ordination
to a Priest and for ordination to the
Melchizedek Priesthood. When a man
receives the Melchizedek Priesthood
and is ordained to the office of Elder,
it normally means that he is now
ready to assume the obligations of
the Temple. Inasmuch as worthy men
may be recommended to the Temple
after a year's membership in the
Church, it is essential that the pro-
gress and development of adult mem-
bers in the Aaronic Priesthood be
prayerfully and thoughtfully carried
by President
PHIL D. JENSEN
President of the
North Scottish Mission
Organise for a succe
/^J.OOD Latter-day Saints are de-
veloped out of religious ex-
periences. Ours is not a spectator
church, but a church of participation
since we are in reality a. "kingdom of
priests." (Exodus 19:6)
Not only is the work of the king-
dom accomplished by the priesthood,
but the priesthood constitutes the
means by which members of the
church may grow in "wisdom, stature,
and in favour with God and man."
(Luke 2:52.)
Participation requires understand-
ing. Understanding comes through
step-by-step introduction and involve-
ment in the priesthood processes.
Advancement in the Aaronic Priest-
hood requires conformance to Gospel
principles, and this conformance
should be a gradual process of per-
fecting the individual as increased
power and authority are bestowed up-
on him.
It will be the objective of this and
subsequent articles to delineate the
principles, the procedures, the proces-
ses and the detailed methods by which
every worthy male member may pro-
gress through the office of the priest-
hood whether he be a member of a
full-fledged quorum with its diversi-
fied activities or the only priesthood
member in his locality. Priesthood
exists for the exaltation of the indi-
vidual. The blessings of the priesthood
may be enjoyed irrespective of the
size of the branch or ward where a
person resides.
Suggestions and instructions will be
given for the development of spiritual,
social, mental and physical qualities of
priesthood members, and for the
calling and training of priesthood
leaders.
Most branches will operate under
the jurisdiction of a district. Ideally,
a district or stake meeting to train
priesthood leaders should be held
monthly. Under scattered geographic
conditions this training meeting,
known as a Priesthood-leadership
meeting, should be held quarterly,
wherever possible. In the stakes or
large districts, much of the instruction
will be given by members of the
District Council or the Stake High
Council assigned to the Aaronic
Priesthood committees.
In smaller districts, it is the res-
ponsibility of the District Presidency
to conduct the departments for the
Priesthood leaders. As distinguished
from a general priesthood meeting,
the Priesthood leadership-meeting is
not a preaching service. It is conduc-
ted on a workship basis for discussion
of projects and activities.
BRANCH COMMITTEES
ssfful operation
The ultimate success or failure of
stake, mission and district efforts is
reflected in the work of the wards and
branches. Unless and until the priest-
hood functions on a local level in the
lives of members the work of all
supervisory organisations is in vain.
To insure the successful operation of
the Aaronic Priesthood programme
the branch or ward should organize
its priesthood in one of four ways
depending upon the number of active
priesthood leaders and the number of
bearers of the Aaronic Priesthood.
As the branch progresses the type of
organisation evolves from phase one
to phase four as follows:
Phase One:
Where only a presiding elder offi-
ciates in a very small branch, he will
be the only member of the "commit-
tee." In such instance, he will exercise
his best judgment, always seeking the
counsel of the district president for
each programme in determining the
extent to which the programme is
adopted in the branch. He will con-
duct the weekly priesthood meeting,
keep all records, and make both
branch Aaronic Priesthood reports
each month.
Phase Two:
The branch president, one counsel-
lor and a general secretary may con-
stitute the "committee." Under this
organization, the president will either
assume, or assign to his counsellor,
the responsibility for looking after all
bearers of the Aaronic Priesthood
with the secretary assigned to assist
in addition to keeping all Aaronic
Priesthood records and making both
monthly reports to the district
Phase Three:
Where a full branch presidency
preside, they, with a general secretary,
may comprise the membership of the
branch committee. In any case,
Aaronic Priesthood bearers under 21
may meet in their department during
the branch priesthood meeting under
the direction of the members of the
branch presidency, while Aaronic
Priesthood bearers over 21 will be
given separate leadership by another
member of the presidency. The sec-
retary will be well occupied with
records, minutes of meetings, and
both monthly reports to the district
president.
Phase Four:
In large branches with adequate
leadership and ample housing facili-
ties, both Aaronic Priesthood com-
mittees will be organized as suggested
in the chart and both Aaronic Priest-
hood programmes will be carried
forward in the branch.
BRANCH PRESIDENCY
General Supervision
r
CHAIRMAN
Aaronic Priesthood Adult
First Counsellor
CHAIRMAN
Aaronic Priesthood Youth
B.P. and 2nd Counsellor
GENERAL SECRETARY
May be branch clerk
if necessary.
GROUP ADVISOR
Fellowshipping
GROUP ADVISOR
Reactivation
GROUP
INSTRUCTOR
ADVISER TO
PRIESTS
Under 21
ADVISOR TO
TEACHERS
Under 21
ADVISOR TO
DEACONS
Under 21
Nowhere are women
TT was a significant day for women
the world over when the prophet
of the Lord said to a small group of
eighteen women, "I now turn the key
in your behalf in the name of the
Lord, and this Society shall rejoice,
and knowledge and intelligence shall
flow down from this time hence-
forth." (D.H.C. Vol. IV, p. 607)
From that hour, over one hundred
and twenty-two years ago, until today
the forces of righteousness have
operated for the emancipation of
women. From that day to this the
status of women has improved and in
this country and in country after
country women have taken or are
taking their rightful place in the
world. Nowhere else on earth are
women more highly esteemed, their
independence more completely res-
pected, their place and station higher
and more honoured than in the
Mormon Church.
Wherever women live in the world
and if their souls have been touched
with the refining influences of Relief
Society, their Jives have been enriched,
their homes have been blessed and
the community made better.
Relief Society is one of the oldest
women's organizations in the world.
It was established under the authority
of the Priesthood, as an aid to the
Priesthood and after a pattern of the
Priesthood by direct instruction of our
Father in Heaven through the Prophet
Joseph Smith. This great organization
is not just another club or ladies' aid
society. We must always remember
that it was divinely inspired for the
assistance, spiritual growth and per-
sonal development of every woman
in the Church.
Individual Relief Societies are in
operation in over 5,583 wards and
branches throughout 52 countries of
the world. It is a great world-wide
sisterhood of over 262,000 members.
Regardless of whether or not these
sisters meet in tastefully decorated
Relief Society rooms in beautiful
L.D.S. Chapels, in rented halls, or
in member's homes, these organiza-
tions operate basically the same. They
are guided by the grand keywords of
the Society — Said Jesus, "Ye shall do
the work which ye see me do."
(D.H.C., Vol. V, p. 20)
To motivate the establishment of
properly organized and operated
Relief Societies throughout the West
European Mission and Stakes,
President Mark E. Petersen has an-
nounced the formation of a Central
Supervisory Committee. One of the
functions of this committee is to work
out a programme "adaptable to each
mission and stake, uniform for all,
and put it on a basis which can easily
be demonstrated to the local people
for their acceptance."
In carrying out this assignment it
is our hope to present regularly,
through the pages of the "Millennial
Star," specific guidance materials for
the use of Relief Society Officers and
Teachers throughout the West Euro-
pean Missions and Stakes. Also, it is
expected that additional leadership
materials, containing lesson helps,
organization and procedural instruc-
tions, will be prepared periodically
and distributed in printed or mimeo-
graphed form to Relief Society
workers in this area.
In order to make sure our Relief
Societies are organized and operated
along uniform lines the following
preliminary suggestions are herewith
presented :
1 . Membership
a. Membership is open to all
women of good character and
reputation.
Members and non-members of
the Church both are invited.
However, every Latter-day Saint
woman should be a member of
Relief Society. A special effort
should be made to enroll all
sisters as soon as they are bap-
tized or move into a ward or
branch, so that they may bene-
fit from the privileges and bless
ings of Relief Society and so
that the Relief Society Organi-
zation may benefit from their
talents and abilities.
b. Received by Vote
The name of a woman apply-
ing for membership in Relief
Society should be presented
at a regular meeting, usually
by the President or conducting
officer, and the applicant
should be accepted for mem-
bership by a majority vote
of the members present. This is
a fundamental Relief Society
procedure as the society is
organized, "after a pattern of
the priesthood." When the
Prophet Joseph Smith organized
the Relief Society he said: "I
now declare this Society or-
ganized . . . and all who shall
hereafter be admitted to this
Society must be free from
.than
more honoured
' censure and must be received
by vote." (Relief Society
Minutes, March 17, 1847).
Whenever possible sisters should
be in attendance at the meet-
ing when their names are pre-
sented for vote.
c. Obligations of Membership
Membership in Relief Society
entails an interest in the Society,
a willingness to support it and
participate in its activities and
attendance at regular Relief
Society meetings whenever pos-
sible. However, membership is
solicited from women who
may not be able to attend
regular meetings at the present
time, but who wish to be mem-
bers and support Relief Society
to the best of their abilities and
who may be able to attend at
a later date.
2. Meetings
Relief Society meetings should
be held weekly at the same
time on the same day and at the
same place. This central place
and this regular time are im-
portant so tha"t the sisters can
plan ahead. Although a week-
day is definitely preferred in
order to carry out the complete
programme of Relief Society.
However, when a meeting place
is unobtainable, it is permis-
sable for the Society to meet on
Sunday at the same time as the
Priesthood Meeting, but in a
separate room. If this Sunday
meeting hour is necessary, the
Work Meetings, of course,
should be held on a week day.
In order for our women to develop
their spiritual, cultural, social and
home-making abilities, a variety of
meetings are planned. These are:
Types of meetings
First Week: Theology and
Visiting Teacher Meetings.
Second Week: Work Meeting.
Third Week: Literature.
Fourth Week: Social Science.
3. Organization of the Society
If a Society is to function
properly, it should be com-
pletely organized with the fol-
lowing officers. It is important
that this organization be effec-
ted at the beginning of the
regular Relief Society season in
October.
Officers for Ward and Branch
Relief Societies
President ; First Counsellor ;
Second Counsellor ; Magazine
Representative ; Theology
Class Leader ; Visiting Teacher
message ; Secretary-Treasurer ;
Chorister ; Organist ; Work
Meeting Leader ; Literature
Class Leader ; Social Science
Leader.
If the organization is small, adapta-
tions from this pattern are acceptable
if approved by the Central Super-
visory Committee — details of this
will appear in subsequent articles in
the "Millennial Star."
Sisters should not hold more than
one position in the organization un-
less it is absolutely necessary. Every
sister should have the joy of partici-
pating in Relief Society.
Procedure for appointing
officers and teachers
The Relief Society functions
under the direction of the
Priesthood therefore the Presi-
dent of the ward or branch
should be appointed by the
Bishop or Branch President. In
consultation with the Bishop or
Branch President the Relief
Society President then proposes
the names of women to serve
as counsellors. Names of women
to serve in other positions are
considered by the Relief
Society Presidency and sub-
mitted to the Ward Bishopric
or Branch Presidency for ap-
proval. The Bishop or Branch
President may prefer to notify
the sisters personally of their
calling to office in Relief
Society or he may authorize
the Relief Society President to
do so. In any event, the Relief
Society President or Presi-
dency, should interview each
worker individually explaining
to her the full duties and res-
ponsibilities of her important
calling. These callings should
be conducted in a formal
dignified manner so that the
sister fully appreciates her
duties, responsibilities, and also
the blessings which will come
to her from serving the Lord.
In presenting these suggestions here
and in future issues of the "Millen-
nial Star," General Board instructions
and procedures will be followed. We
shall also take into consideration the
needs peculiar to the missions and
stakes in the West European area.
in the Mormon Church
by CHRISTINE H. ROBINSON
SUNDAY SCHOOL
by President O. PRESTON ROBINSON,
That they
"The objective of the Sunday
School is to teach the Gospel of
Jesus Christ to every member of the
Church.
"This Sunday School teaching
should result in the development of
a vital faith in God, the Father;
in His Son, Jesus Christ ; and in the
Holy Ghost ; and in the develop-
ment of a testimony that Our
Father's power has been restored by
Him to man through the Prophet
Joseph Smith. Such testimony is
evidenced by each member's con-
secrating his time, abilities, and
possessions to bring about our
Father's purposes on earth, and
results and eternal joy and exal-
tation." (Sunday School Hand-
book.)
A S indicated in this statement of
*"*■ objective, the Sunday School is
the Church's teaching organization.
This organization exists for no pur-
pose other than to teach the Gospel
of Jesus Christ to every member of
the Church from three years of age
on to the end of life.
The Organization
To achieve this sacred objective, the
First Presidency of the Church,
through the Sunday School General
Superintendency and General Board,
have established a Sunday School
Scenes from the British film strip, "That
They Might Have Joy", showing various
Sunday School departments in action.
British Mission
might have joy
Organization which works through
established procedures and a selected
course of instruction carefully planned
to meet the learning needs and abili-
ties of all Church members regardless
of age. advancement and back-
ground.
Sunday Schools throughout the
Mission operate under the direction of
the Mission President. He may dele-
gate this responsibility to a counsellor,
and/or to a Mission Superintendent
or Superintendency. assisted by a
Mission Board. If a Mission Board is
organized and functioning, the num-
ber and members to serve on this
board are to be chosen by the Mission
President.
The purpose of this Mission Sunday
School Organization is to supervise
the Sunday School Programme for
the Mission, adapt General Board
suggestions to Mission practices, con-
duct conventions among the Districts
and pass on all matters pertaining to
the Sunday School operations within
the Mission.
Sunday Schools in the Mission
Districts are under the direction of the
District President. He. also, may
delegate this responsibility to a
District Superintendent, or Superin-
tendency. consisting of a Superinten-
dent and two assistants, assisted by a
secretary, or this responsibility may
be delegated to a Superintendency and
District Board. This District Board
should consist of a Superintendent,
First Assistant Superintendent. Second
Assistant Superintendent. Secretary
and one associate Board Member fo'r
each of the courses taught in the
Sunday Schools throughout the
District. These associate Board Mem-
bers should be specially selected
teachers from each of these course
departments and they should be given
responsibility, in addition to their
regular teaching, of instructing other
Sunday School teachers in their de-
partments at the regular Monthly
Preparation Meetings.
Superintendency Responsibilities
Some of the important responsibili-
ties of the District Superintendency
are to organize, supervize and moti-
vate a strong, capable District Board
to hold weekly council meetings for
planning purposes; to plan and con-
duct monthly District Preparation
Meetings; to instruct new superin-
tendences in their work and to see
that they are properly supplied with
the necessary Sunday School proce-
dure and course materials; to visit
regularly, by appointment, the Sunday
Schools of the District ; to study care-
fully the monthly reports, to provide
help to Branch Superintendencies in
carrying out their responsibilities, to
encourage and aid in the training and
development of teaching ability in
the branches and to foster the estab-
lishment of branch teacher training
classes ; to encourage the establish-
ment of branch libraries, and to assist
Branch Sunday Schools in enlistment
work.
To achieve a smooth running
District organization, these responsi-
bilities should be appropriately
divided and delegated to each mem-
ber of the Superintendency and
Secretary.
Branch Organization
The Branch Sunday School organ-
ization should consist, under the
supervision of the Branch Presidency,
of a Sunday School Superintendent,
two assistants and a secretary. These
should be assisted by choristers and
organists for both the Senior and
Junior Sunday Schools and by a co-
ordinator for the Junior Sunday
School. Where a Sunday School
library is in existence, a librarian
should be appointed. Also, each
Sunday, at least two greeters should
be appointed to meet Sunday School
attenders. make them feel welcome
and usher them to their seats.
For course instruction, teachers
should be provided, together with sub-
stitutes, for each of the Sunday
School courses being offered in the
Branch.
The Branch Sunday School Super-
intendency has the responsibility,
under the Branch Presidency, for the
full operation of the Sunday School.
Normally, however, the administration
of the Sacrament, the calling and
setting apart of officers and teachers,
the housing and equipping of the
Sunday School and the calling of
prospective teachers to attend the
teacher training classes are the res-
ponsibilities of the Branch Presidency
and are not delegated. However, these
responsibilities should be carried out
in close co-operation with the Sunday
School Superintendency.
Uniformity of Organization
Although some slight adaptations
in organization and courses offered
are contemplated under certain
special conditions, basically, Sunday
School organization and procedures
are uniform, or should be, through-
out the Church. This is true in stakes
and wards and in missions and
branches and is the reason why mem-
bers of the Church attending a Sun-
day School anywhere in the world in
beautiful chapels, rented halls or even
in member's homes will find funda-
mentally the same organization and
procedures in operation.
Central Supervisory Committee
In order to assure appropriate uni-
formity and to make certain that our
Sunday Schools are functioning
through approved organizations and
procedures, President Mark E. Peter-
sen of the West European Missions
has announced the formation of a
Central Auxiliary and Priesthood
Supervisory Committee for the twelve
West European Missions and the
seven Stakes therein included. Details
of the responsibilities and personnel
of this committee are described else-
where in this issue.
Our Sunday Schools, their organi-
zation and operation and their effec-
tiveness in teaching the Gospel, will
be given special attention and assis-
tance by this committee. All aspects
of Sunday School procedure will be
studied in an effort to achieve the
type of unity which will produce the
best results. In our Sunday Schools,
we want leaders who inspire an
attitude of worship and teachers who
motivate students to put the principles
of the Gospel into action in their
lives.
Sunday School Procedures
We seek to establish Sunday School
worship services that are guided by
the Spirit of the Lord, rather than by
mechanical routine. We want inspira-
tional music that induces worship and
hymns that inspire belief and joy in
the Gospel and provide an oppor-
tunity for all to participate. We want
hymn practices that build a unified
spiritual expression and 2i-minute
talks, planned and rehearsed in
advance, of suitable content, clear
organization, pleasing delivery and
which provide to children and youth
opportunities of expression of Gospel
learning. Our Sacrament Services
must be conducted so as to invite
God's Spirit to be present and so that
we, "may always have His spirit to be
with us."
Our Sunday Schools are blessed
with many special advantages. We
hold our services on the Sabbath, the
Lord's day. On this day, personal at
titudes should be- especially receptive
to spiritual influences. Our Sunday
School worship service is planned
and conducted to establish an atmos-
phere conducive to effective, inspired
teaching.
We can achieve these desired
results provided we follow the Lord's
plan and make sure that our Sunday
School organization and procedures
are conducted in the way that He,
through His chosen leaders, has in-
structed us.
M.I.A. Leaders
in training
These pictures are of MIA leaders
from the British, and South-
west British Missions and the
London Stake taking part in a
Leaders' Training Course at Avon
Tyrrell, near Bournemouth. The
Central Council of Physical Edu-
cation assisted in the instruction
of netball, football, basketball and
other indoor and minor outdoor
games, and also in the teaching
of folk dancing, which was a very
popular evening activity. During
the evenings also were discus-
sions on MIA administration and
instruction, and talks on teenage
marriage.
m
Wonderful World of M.I. A.
Designed to
fit
off all shapes
MIA Summer Camps are not al-
ways all fun and games — the
dishes still need washing up! —
as these London Stake sisters
discovered. Below: MIA leaders
in training at Avon Tyrrell.
by President and Sister A. RAY CURTIS
of the South-West British Mission
"Therefore, O ye that embark in
the service of God, see that ye serve
Him with all your heart, might,
mind, and strength, that ye may
stand blameless before God at the
last dayr (D. & C. 4:2)
TN June, 1875. President Brigham
Young said the purpose anC objec-
tive of the M.I. A. in these words:
We want you to organize your-
selves into associations for mutual
improvement. Let the keynote of
your work be the establishment in
the youth of an individual testimony
of the truth and magnitude of the
great latter-day work ; the develop-
ment of the gifts within them that
have been bestowed upon them by
the laying on of hands of the ser-
vants of God ; cultivating a know-
ledge and an application of the
eternal principles of the great
science of life.
THESE WORDS ARE OUR
ORGANISATIONAL HERITAGE
President Petersen has created a
Central Supervisory Committee for
the West European area to further
implement and assist leaders in the
auxiliaries and priesthood organisa-
356
The North British Mission Mormon
Yankee baseball team, which
won the Lancashire Cup Final
recently, and then went on to
beat the Merseyside League All-
Stars. Back row: Bro. Abbott,
manager; Mr. Price, baseball com-
missioner; Elders Sanford, Col-
vin; Mather and Jones. Front
row: Elders Barney and Wilson;
D. Abbott, bat-boy; Elders Malnar,
captain, Cullimore and Jensen.
tions. M.I. A. is an important part of
this organisation.
OUR ASSIGNMENT
1. To help unify the M.l.A. pro-
gramme in all Stakes and Mis-
sions.
2. Work closely with the General
Boards of M.l.A.
a. Report to and receive direc-
tion from regularly.
3. To provide helps and suggestions
for monthly leadership meetings.
4. To correlate the activity pro-
gramme of M.l.A. , so that our
youth can see the programme in
its greater perspective.
a. Culminate activity in Zone
and All-British or West
European play-offs and pre-
sentations.
b. Organize and hold an annual
West European M.L.A. Con-
ference for leaders and
youth.
c. Demonstrate best of year's
productions and activity and
present programme for fol-
lowing year.
5. Develop leadership training
course programme in organisa-
tion, teaching, and activity.
6. Lend co-operation to visiting
General Board people in their
visits to Stakes and Missions.
7. Provide additional helps, as
needed and possible.
8. To sustain fully the Priesthood
organisation of the Church in:
a. Developing testimonies.
b. Developing talents.
c. Providing social activities.
d. Providing and enlarging
recreational activities.
e. Developing faithful Latter-
day Saints.
The Lord said : "This is my work
and my glory — to bring to pass the
immortality and eternal life of man."
(Moses 1:39)
M.T.A. brings to Members and
Friends:
a. Spiritual Growth — through
Gospel study ;
b. Spiritual Recreation — through
playing and praying together;
c. Cultural Enrichment — through
social activities.
M.l.A. is the activity organisation
of the Church. Have something
scheduled ahead at all times. We par-
ticularly call your attention to the
need to take your young people into
the planning of activities. Let them
feel they are vital to the planning,
organising, and carrying out of the
activities.
Try to help young members of the
M.l.A. understand the purpose of
M.l.A. and get a greater vision of the
programme by including them in
planning meetings.
LARGE AND SMALL M.I.A.'s
While the programme is designed
for large M.I.A.'s, it is easily adapted
to smaller Wards and Branches or
even Home M.I.A.'s. Small ones grow
into larger ones in a hurry under the
direction of someone with an imagina-
tion. There are plenty of helps avail-
able, and we will give special help to
individual units or will continue to
publish helps in the "Millennial Star."
THE M.l.A. EXECUTIVE
HANDBOOK
No M.I. A., large or small, can
function without the knowledge and
use of the executive handbook and
the other handbooks for the various
departments. Every leader in M.l.A.
should be thoroughly acquainted with
357
the contents of the handbook and
know how to quickly refer to the
various departmental instructions
given therein.
Fully staffed Ward and Stake
organisations are wise to refer to the
executive handbook, beginning with
page 23 for the full organisation of a
Stake or Ward organisation.
YOU WILL NOTE THAT HERE
COMPLETE CO-OPERATION
BETWEEN YMMIA AND YWMIA
IS PARAMOUNT.
WARD ORGANISATION
The ward M.I.A. programme is
administered under the direction of
the bishopric. The bishop calls M.I.A.
leaders to assist him with ward M.I.A.
auxiliary work for which he is res-
ponsible.
One member of the bishopric is
assigned as bishopric adviser to the
M.I.A.
The ward YM superintendency and
YW presidency are called by the
bishopric. The names of prospective
ward or branch board members (age-
group teachers and activity directors)
are submitted by the ward YM
superintendency and YW presidency
to the ward bishopric for approval.
After approval, they are called by the
bishopric to serve on the ward or
branch level.
Complete ward or branch boards
consist of the following:
Young Men
Superintendent
First Assistant Superintendent
Second Assistant Superintendent
Secretary-Treasurer
Era Director
Age-Group Teachers
Mutual Study Teacher
Young Marrieds' Teacher
M Man Teacher
Explorer Adviser
Associate Explorer Adviser
Scoutmaster
Assistant Scoutmaster
Activity Directors
Dance Director
Drama Director
Speech Director
Athletic Director
Young Women
President
First Counsellor
Second Counsellor
Secretary -Treasurer
Girls' Programme Secretary
Era Director
Age-Group Teachers
Mutual Study Teacher
Young Marrieds' Teacher
Gleaner Teacher
Laurel Teacher
Mia Maid Teacher
Beehive Teachers (2)
Activity Directors
Dance Director
Drama Director
Speech Director
Athletic Director
ADAPTING THE M.I.A, TO THE
SMALL WARD
The M.I.A. programme is designed
to fit the average ward in an average
situation, but is flexible enough to
meet every situation wherever it is
found. Since the scope of M.I.A is
now worldwide and its aspects are
varied and complex, some stakes and
wards as well as districts and branches
will need to adapt the programme to
fit their own needs — some very little,
some a great deal.
The dividing of wards and branches
and the forming of new ones solves
the expanding ward and branch situa-
tion and controls the size of M.I.A.
so that it does not become too large.
Some stakes and districts in scattered
areas have very limited facilities be-
cause of small membership. Under
these situations our M.I.A. pro-
gramme needs to be adapted in a
major way. For small stake, district,
ward, or branch M.I.A.'s which need
to adapt the programme, the General
Board gives the following suggestions:
1. Carry out the fundamental
features of M.I.A. (assembly pro-
grammes, lessons, calendared re-
hearsals, and activities).
2. YMMIA and YWMIA jointly
promote the Programme.
3. Have six executives (three men,
three women).
4. Have a YMMIA secretary and a
YWMIA secretary.
5. If necessary, these eight officers
can also serve as teachers and
activity directors until additional
help is available and leadership
is developed.
6. If necessary, form a combination
of classes among compatible age
groups, such as Beehive and Mia
Maids ; Scouts and Explorers ;
Mia Maids and Laurels ; Laurels
and M Man-Gleaners (in this case
the girls' leader would have to
keep two rolls — one for girls in
the Girls' Programme and one for
those above Girls' Programme
age).
7. Activity programmes should be
carried out by executives or age-
group teachers if there are no
activity directors.
8. Through the stake or district
executives write to the general
M.I.A. boards for help if you
need to solve a special problem.
HOME AND NEIGHBOURHOOD
M.I.A.
In some stakes and district? there
are remote areas in wards and
branches where Church members live,
making it impractical for them to at-
tend M.I.A. meetings. For isolated
families, Home M.I.A.'s may be or-
ganised within the ward or branch.
Two or more isolated families living
in the same general neighbourhood
may be organised into a Neighbour-
hood M.I.A. These special groups are
organised under the direction of the
priesthood.
Home and neighbourhood M.I.A.'s
are dependent on ward and branch
M.I.A. organisations for directions,
helps, materials, and encouragement.
Home or neighbourhood M.I.A.'s
use regular M.I.A. reports and send
them to the ward and branch M.I.A.
officers, who compile them with the
ward or branch report.
For further information concerning
M.I.A. home and neighbourhood
organisation send for the "Mission
Manual," available at the general
M.I.A. offices, 135 South State Street.
Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A.
Where necessary, in some large
towns, there are two or more branches
or wards, and it may be desirable to
combine two or more branches or
wards for one good M.I.A. In such
cases, be sure to get the approval of
the bishopric or branch presidents.
Your request should be accompanied
by suitable reasons for combining,
such as total memberships of both
units, numbers of boys and gills
M.I.A. age, available leadership, at-
tendance figures, etc. The bishoprics
and branch presidents would obtain
permission of the Stake and Mission
Presidents. There are good instruc-
tions for record keeping and organi-
sational information in the executive
handbook, pages 34 and 35.
ABOUT STAKE OR DISTRICT
LEADERSHIP MEETINGS
Stake or District leadership meet-
ings are the place where stake and
district leaders have the special oppor-
tunity to give suggestions to ward
and branch leaders, help plan pro-
grammes, demonstrate ideas, conduct
workshops, and assume full stature
as boards. There is only one criterion
of a good leadership meeting . . . and
that is good results in the wards and
branches. They will look just like the
board responsible for them. Make
good leadership meetings, with a
check-up at the wards and branches.
Follow the outline on page 193 of
the executive manual for a well
organised leadership meeting. Please
feel free to call on us for any help
we may be able to render:
President and Sister A. Ray Curtis,
Central Supervisory Committee,
16 Ivywell Road,
Bristol 9.
Telephone: Bristol 682494.
FINALLY
Let's keep the torch lit and the fire
burning in all our organisations over
the All-British Annual Conference. Be
sure every leadership meeting includes
check-up and follow-through on the
preparation and financing of trans-
portation for this great event. Let's
make the first one the one to herald
the high standard to be used in
future Conferences in years to come.
One way of getting a bird's-eye
view Is found by this young girl
at the London Stake MIA sum-
mer camp
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'.JfaJS SI^SAisraSS
.-*t~
iAAirW .
THE PRIMARY PAGE
conducted by Sister EILEEN R. DUNYON of the Primary Association General
'...and they shall also
0'
UR Heavenly Father loves His
children and He wants them
taught the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Primary is one of the helps He has
provided, in order that children might
learn eternal truths. With the rapid
growth of the Church and the form-
ing of many new stakes from mis-
sions, there is a need to recognize that
a change from mission to stake,
branch to ward, does not change the
number of children involved, the
problems concerned with distance, or
the number of workers available to
conduct the Primary programme.
There are large Primaries, small
Primaries, and home Primaries in
stakes as well as missions.
In order to teach more effectively
the children in the West European
Area, both stakes and missions, we
are effecting a uniform Primary
programme. Stake Primary presidents,
mission Primary presidents and ad-
visors will be informed in detail of
this programme and the way in
which it should be carried out in all
wards and branches. Each month this
page of the "Millennial Star" will
publish purposeful material to be used
by all branch, ward, district and
stake Primary leaders.
Included in this material will be
helps for preparation meeting, which
should be held monthly by each
ward and branch, ideas for increasing
attendance, suggestions for carrying
out assignments which re-occur
annually such as the Primary Family
Hour, suggestions for teaching songs,
ideas for improving reverence, ways to
teach children to pray with meaning
and sincerity, and material to help
teachers improve the quality of their
teaching. Often reference will be made
to pages of instructions in basic
Primary Guides. It is essential that all
stakes and missions have a complete
set of these materials. They can then
look up the reference in the "Star"
and demonstrate the lesson helps to
small wards or branches who do not
have all of the guides available. The
basic materials are:
1. Guide for Ward and Branch
Primary Presidencies,
2. Guide for Home Primaries,
3. Guide for Ward and Branch
Primary Secretaries,
4. The Primary Script,
5. Three Steps to Good Teaching,
6. The Standard,
7. The Children Sing,
8. Teaching the Gospel Through
Music,
9. Inservice lesson book for the
current year (1964-65 All Thy
Children Shall Be Taught.)
ORGANIZATION
1. Primaries should be organized
for all Latter-day Saint children in
the mission /stake and for as
many of their non-member friends
as will come.
a. Each branch Primary should
be organized under a system
that fits its particular needs.
1. If there are Primaries with
more than fifty children,
classes are held for each
age group. (See Guide for
Ward and Branch Primary
Presidencies, pp. 42-47.)
2. If there are Primaries with
less than fifty children the
children may be divided
into four groups or less
depending upon the ages
of the children.
Children 4-5 are in the
Skylet Class.
Board
teach their children'
Children 6-7-8 are in the
Pilot Class.
Girls 9-10-11 are in the
Lihoma Class.
Boys 9-10-11 are in the
Trail Builder Class.
b. Children who cannot attend
regular branch Primaries
should be organized into
Home Primaries. Here usually
all children meet in one class
under the direction of the
mother in the home. (See
Guide for Home Primaries.)
1. In the case of a Primary
with a very few children,
widely varying in age, it
may be advisable to have
two classes. Children up
to six or seven years of
age might be placed in one
class and older children
placed in the second class.
An older child, the father,
or a neighbour could be
asked to teach one class.
A four-year-old and a
ten-year-old should never
be placed in the same
group. It is impossible to
teach them effectively to-
gether.
ANNUAL CALENDAR
Primary will function best if it is
planned in advance. Every Primary
has certain deadlines to meet and
responsibilities to perform in addition
to the regular scheduled Primary
meeting. To help you look ahead to
the needs of the Primary year, make
an enlarged copy of this annual
calendar. Here is a way, at a moment's
glance, to see what has to be done
each month in Primary.
Your reports will always be oh
time if you know that you mail one
on the fifth of every month (see
calendar). Each Primary worker
should have one of these calendars
and refer to it weekly to see when
activities and reports are scheduled.
Fill in the extra spaces with events
which you have planned for your
own branch, ward, district or stake.
The numbers, show when material is
due. A cross indicates the month in
which an activity should be carried
out. The ward or branch should set
the date and fill in the square. Note
that the Pilots should have a pro-
gramme for their parents in October.
PREPARATION MEETING
Following are suggestions which
could be demonstrated at a prepara-
tion meeting to help every teacher
improve in her teaching without ex-
pense or lengthy preparation. Primary
children soon tire of hearing the les-
son presented in exactly the same way
each week. Children love the element
of surprise. They like to know that
you have planned something different
for them to do. They look forward to
an experience-sharing time in Primary.
These procedures can be repeated
over and over again with the children
if you adapt them to the lesson
material which you are presenting.
1. Mount pictures (taken from
magazines or newspapers) of
Church authorities, presidents of
the Church, sacred places, build-
ings (such as the tabernacle,
temples, etc.) on cardboard. Let
the class see these pictures in
rapid succession to identify them.
(Have a pencil and paper for
older children, let them write the
names. For younger children, see
who can whisper the name first.)
2. Write on the blackboard or on a
strip of paper, anything which
the class should have previously
learned that you wish to review
this day. Omit certain words.
Have the class read it through
silently and supply the words
that are missing. Then all read it
orally as a group.
3. On several strips of paper print
a portion of an Article of Faith,
Scripture verse, or any teaching
you wish the class to remember,
with two or three of the words
on each strip. Hand one strip to
each child until you have handed
out all strips (any number from
two to five or six). Then have
these children arrange themselves
so that the sentence reads cor-
rectly. For children who cannot
read, write the sentence on a
card. Cut the card into five or
six large pieces of jig-saw puzzle
and let them put the puzzle to-
gether. Read the assembled
statement for the child. Let each
child take a puzzle home to share
with his or her family.
4. Prepare a list of words which
were important to the lesson.
The letters should be mixed up
such as tfhia for faith. Allow a
few minutes for the class to un-
scramble the letters and have
someone read the words. For
younger children, pass out the
letters to a word, with each
letter written on an individual
card. Number the cards. The
children stand in front of the
class in numerical order and
spell the word.
5. Formulate some questions about
the lesson. With masking tape,
secure the written answers (one
word if possible) at various
places around the walls. Read the
questions, let the class take turns
locating and bringing you the
answers. (Same process may be
used with younger children if the
answers are numbered. For
question No. 2 they would find
answer No. 2, etc.)
6. Use a posting chart to put ques-
tions and answers in wrong
sequence. Have one of the class
members place the correct
answer opposite the question.
7. Place pictures of sacred places,
General Authorities, presidents of
the Church, etc., on flannel
board. Have names written on
slips of paper and placed on the
table. Let the class members
place the correct name below the
picture. For younger children say
the answer and let them identify
the picture.
8. Teacher says: "I am thinking of
a man who had eleven brothers.
He was sold into Egypt and be-
came a leader in the King's
court. Who is he?" Vary this
procedure by saying: "I am
thinking of a story. ... I am
thinking of an object. ... I am
thinking of a character in the
Book of Mormon. ... I am
thinking of a Church president.
. . ," Use this to review the les-
sons covered for the past few
weeks, or as a check-up to the
lesson you have given that day.
9. Toss a bean bag to a child as you
ask him a question. He tosses it
back and gives you the answer.
(If he does not know the answer
he may toss the bean bag^ to
another child who wishes to ans-
wer.) This is not a suitable Sun-
day activity, but may be used at
other times.
10. Tell the story in the lesson, but
do not tell the ending. Then give
the class members an opportunity
to tell what they would have
done in a similar situation or
how they feel about what hap-
pened. Then finish the story.
11. One person is selected to stand
in front of the room. Class mem-
bers think of questions which
they can answer to ask the one
in front. The one who asks the
questions which the one in front
cannot answer, earns the chance
to stand in front of the room
next. Repeat the process several
times.
12. Finger plays which correlate
with the lesson give all a chance
to participate. Finger plays which
help the individual child realize
the purpose of the lesson are the
most worthwhile.
13. Sing a song which teaches the
same truth as the lesson. Develop
the song with pictures, key
words, etc. so that all may par-
ticipate.
14. Put questions in a box about the
next week's lesson. Let several
draw them out. The next week
they bring back information
about these questions.
15. Place pictures from magazines
on a table. Let a child choose
one, show it to the class and tell
about the picture. (Example:
pictures of kind and unkind
acts. Choose a picture and tell
if this is something you would
do if you were keeping the com-
mandments of Jesus. Pictures of
healthful foods and harmful
products for teaching the Word
of Wisdom, etc.)
16. Write a Scripture on a large
piece of paper. Cross out one
word at a time and have the class
repeat the Scripture after each
word is eliminated.
17. Bring an object in a bag or
package. (Something which
strengthens the purpose of the
lesson.) Let someone open it
and show it to the class. This
may be done either at the first
of, or during the lesson.
18. Ask the class a question. If the
answer is "no" they should fold
their arms. If the answer is
"yes" they should raise their
hands. Have the class close their
eyes before participating.
19. Write a memory verse on the
chalk board or on paper and
place a number over each word.
Write duplicate numbers on slips
paper and place in' a box. As a
person draws a number he
Joseph greets his brothers.
crosses out the word which has
the matching number over it,
then repeats the memory verse.
20. Give every child a card. Some
will have numbers on them, some
are blank. The child who has
number one will answer question
number one when you ask it.
The children with blank cards
may answer, if he does not
know the answer, or if they wish
to add more information to
what has been said. Have the
same number of cards with
numbers on them as there are
questions.
Bible Stories for Children
I am Joseph, your brother
by Sister EMMA MARR PETERSEN
T TPON reaching Egypt, the ten
brothers went at once to the
governor and presented before him
the youthful Benjamin. The sight of
the young man filled Joseph's heart
with joy. He was so grateful to know
that this fine young man was his own
brother, and he was happy to learn
that his father was well and still alive.
He hid his joy from his brothers, be-
cause he was not yet ready to tell
them who he was. But he called his
servant to him, and told him to take
the brothers to his own home, and
prepare a feast for them. Once more
they became alarmed. Why should the
governor have them sent to his own
home? What would happen to them
there?
When they met Joseph at his
house, they gave to him the gifts
Jacob had sent, and then bowed them-
selves down before him. Again Joseph
asked about the family in Canaan,
and desired to know more about their
father. Once more telling him that,
except for the shortage of food, all
was well with the family, the brothers
bowed themselves again before him.
Joseph then looked at Benjamin.
"Is this your younger brother of
whom ye spake to me?" he asked.
And turning to the boy he said, "God
be gracious unto thee, my son."
Joseph could no longer hold his
feelings, so overcome was he. He left
the group and hurried to another
room, where he broke down and wept.
After washing away the tears, he
returned to the room where the others
were, and ordered that dinner be
served. Simeon was brought in from
the prison, and they all sat down to-
gether, each one before Joseph in the
order of their ages.
After dinner was over, Joseph sent
his tired brothers to bed, to rest for
their next day's journey. Then he
commanded his servants to fill up his
brothers' sacks with grain, and to put
every man's money in the top of his
sack. Then he took one of his own
silver cups, and had it hidden in Ben-
jamin's sack.
Early the next morning the brothers
were sent on their way. Hardly had
they left the city than Joseph sent his
servants after them again. He was still
teaching his brothers a much needed
lesson. He would make it appear that
one of them had stolen his silver cup,
and he would bring them back to
him to answer for it.
When his servants overtook the
brothers, they accused them of steal-
ing the cup, and rewarding the
governor's kindness with evil. The
brothers were amazed and distressed.
They knew they had not stolen any-
thing, and so they said, "How could
we steal gold or silver out of thy
lord's house? With whomsoever the
cup is found, let him be put to death
and we also will be thy lord's bonds-
men."
Joseph's servants then began to
search the sacks, beginning with the
oldest, and found the cup in Ben-
jamin's bag. The brothers were
shocked and dismayed. They knew
that Benjamin would not steal any-
thing. They feared some enemy had
tricked them. Remembering their
pledge to their father to bring Ben-
jamin home safely, they felt sick at
heart, and rent their garments. What
would become of them now? What
would happen to Benjamin, and how
could they explain to their father?
Loading the bags of grain again
upon their camels, they returned sor-
rowfully to the city to make a plea
for mercy before Joseph, whom they
yet did not know was their brother.
Judah was the spokesman. Never had
he shown such an unselfish spirit or
so much love for his aged father and
his young brother. It was this love and
devotion, this spirit of loyalty and
repentance that Joseph wanted to see
in his brothers. Making an appeal for
Benjamin, Judah offered himself as a
sacrifice in the young boy's place. He
said that Benjamin was innocent ; he
was pure and clean, and would never
harm anyone ; and that he was most
beloved of his father, who would
probably die of grief if Benjamin were
not returned.
Joseph could no longer restrain
himself. At last his brothers were
learning their lesson — learning to love
each other and forget their selfishness
— learning to sacrifice themselves
rather than to hurt the tender feelings
of an aged father whom they had so
deeply wounded.
Again he wept with joy and grati-
tude for this great change which had
come to his brothers.
Joseph ordered everyone but his
brothers to leave the room. Again he
wept, this time so loud that "the
Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh
heard." The brothers looked on in
astonishment. Why should the gover-
nor of all Egypt act like this? What
had happened to make him cry so
hard right in their presence? They
could not know what was in Joseph's
heart, and of course did not suspect
that Joseph was their brother.
Composing himself, this man who
was now the governor of Egypt said
to them : "I am Joseph ; doth my
father yet live?" But his brothers did
not answer him, they were so puzzled
by this turn of events.
Then Joseph said, "Come near to
me, I pray you." And when they
came near, . he said, "I am Joseph,
your brother, whom ye sold into
Egypt. Be not grieved, or angry with
yourselves, that ye sold me, for God
did send me before you to preserve
life. For these two years hath famine
been in the land, and yet there are
five years in which there shall be
neither earing nor harvest. And God
sent me before you to preserve you
a posterity in the earth and to save
your lives by a great deliverance. So
now it was not you that sent me here,
but God, and he hath made me a
father to Pharaoh and lord of all his
house and ruler throughout all the
land of Egypt."
He told them to hurry back to their
father, and tell him that his son
Joseph was not dead, but alive, and
the ruler of all Egypt. He told them
to bring their father and all their
families to live with him in Egypt, and
that he would feed them and care for
them all through the remaining five
years of the famine. He promised
them the land of Goshen as a place
in which they and their families could
live.
Joseph took young Benjamin into
his arms, wept over him and kissed
him, and Benjamin also wept. He
kissed all his other brothers also, and
wept with them.
When Pharaoh heard about it, he
gave Joseph's brothers wagons, and
animals to draw them ; he gave them
new clothing, and many provisions,
and urged them to hurry to Canaan
and bring Jacob and all their families
down to Egypt with them. To young
Benjamin was given three hundred
pieces of silver and five suits of
clothing.
Jacob could hardly believe the good
news that the brothers told him on
their return. But when he saw their
many gifts, the wagons, and provi-
sions, and saw Benjamin and Simeon
safely back home, he believed. It was
to him as though Joseph had come
back from the dead.
A CLOSING THOUGHT
by Bishop JOHN BUTCHER,
West Hartlepool Ward
Ronald Littlewood
Young
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John Davison
William S. Gardner
James Laurie
Gordon Laurie
We of the West Hartlepool Ward are very
grateful for the building programme of the
Church, for it has given to us not only a beautiful
new building but an opportunity of serving the
Lord in a physical capacity as well as a spiritual
one.
We have counted many precious blessings since
the completion of our Chapel just over a year ago,
and one of the dearest ones is the inspiration and
encouragement it has given to our young men to
serve the Lord as Church Building Missionaries.
We are proud of the five young men which we
have away at present, and thankful to their
parents for letting them go.
These young people, without exception, left
home as immature adolescents, equipped only with
healthy bodies, a desire to serve, and a testimony
of the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Within
weeks they became skilled workers, and, which is
most gratifying of all, spiritual giants.
On behalf of the Ward Bishopric and members
I salute our five ambassadors, they are a constant
source of pride and inspiration to everyone at
home. May the Lord bless them and everyone con-
nected with the building programme; it is a living
testimony to us that God lives and guides this
work today through a living prophet.
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r<KST CLASS cu»**o is rmsr class *"*'
NEW YORK
in a glorious long weekend!
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You go aboard one of the great "Queens" on a Thursday and are
in New York on the following Tuesday. In between you have four
carefree, invigorating days . . . tempted by magnificent menus . . .
royally entertained . . . splendidly served. Whether you are business
or pleasure bound, there is no better start or finish to your visit
than this brief but bracing holiday at sea. It costs so little of the
working week and pays such splendid dividends in rest and
relaxation.
CUNARD
TO USA AND CANADA
Consult your local travel agent or CUNARD LINE, Cunard Building, Liverpool 3 (Liverpool CENtral 9201);
15 Lower Regent St., London, S.W.1 (WHItehall 7890); 88 Leadenhall St., London, E.C.3 (AVEnue 3010).
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